COVID-19 Daily News Digest – May 27, 2020
Ottawa delays release of national action plan on missing and murdered Indigenous women
Although engagement continues via Zoom meetings and conference calls, Bennett said the COVID-19 pandemic has set back the government’s timeline and she can’t say when a plan will be released.
“Using COVID-19 as an excuse for delaying a national action plan — to me — is really like saying, well, the dog ate my homework,” Buller said.
“So much could’ve been done, should’ve been done up to and including February and March.”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/stefanovich-mmiwg-action-plan-delay-1.5583585
First Nations commercial fishermen consider starting season as they await federal relief
A group of First Nations commercial fishermen in Manitoba are wondering if they should start fishing even with little chance they can sell their catch, worried that money won’t flow soon enough from a federal relief package.
“How do we access that money to support individuals that are deriving their income from just commercial fishing? A lot of these guys, that’s all they know is commercial fishing,” said Murdock.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/first-nations-fishing-federal-relief-1.5585747
COVID-19 reopening may bring more blockades of roads and highways that are gateways to fearful First Nations communities
“These lockdowns and checkpoints are the major reason why our rates are low,” Regional Chief of Ontario, RoseAnne Archibald, said of the province’s First Nations community.
“The closer you are together the more the virus spreads, so that becomes a growing concern for First Nations, especially with the coming second wave. We know there will be a second wave.”
Is COVID-19 Stressing You Out?
For someone who is struggling during this pandemic, Human says it is very important for that person to put their mental health forward. She notes it is normal to feel anxious.
“People really need to realize that the more we talk about it, we can actually connect with others and have that realization, ‘I am not alone,’” she adds.
https://www.portageonline.com/local/is-covid-19-stressing-you-out
Nishdish, closed for good by COVID-19, served up Anishinaabe cuisine and history
“I lost money with every bowl of Three Sisters that I served at the restaurant. The catering supported the restaurant. But it was important to have the restaurant there to give more people an opportunity to learn about these foods and enjoy them,” said Ringuette. “And each person was helping to support Indigenous food sovereignty.”
Indigenous families given new lease on life as pandemic opens up housing options
As government agencies scrambled to cut red tape and find safe places for people to isolate, aid agencies like Wabano were suddenly granted far greater flexibility in determining who qualifies for help.That means families like Hookimaw’s don’t have to reach the point where they’re staying in shelters or sleeping on the street before they’re granted desperately needed housing aid.
“That’s all I needed in order to get back on my feet,” she said. “I’m OK, I’m OK as a parent. With the storm that was over us, it was hard to see that. Everything I was beating myself up for, it’s gone. I’m happier now.”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/indigenous-families-new-lease-on-life-1.5579994
Powwow circuit disrupted by COVID-19
“It’s something that people look forward to so much,” said Bourgeois, who is from Pikwakanagan, the Algonquin community northwest of Ottawa that has cancelled its August powwow.
“There’s a lot of reasons why people would be spiritually, emotionally and mentally affected from this.”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/powwow-cancel-2020-covid19-1.5583452